N.y. Mob Boss `The Chin' Guilty

July 25, 1997

A jury on Friday found Vincent "The Chin" Gigante guilty of racketeering, conspiring to murder other organized crime figures and being boss of New York City's Genovese crime family. The jury deliberated for three days in Brooklyn federal court. Gigante, 69, considered the last of New York City's old-time mob dons, faces 30 years in prison on the racketeering and conspiracy convictions -- a virtual life sentence for the frail, elderly don. The government had pursued the elusive, secretive "Chin" unsuccessfully for decades. At the same time it was bringing down John Gotti, the vaunted "Teflon Don," and sending the leaders of other crime families to prison. Gigante could have gotten life in prison if convicted on the murder counts.